Michael Vaughan racism verdict – LIVE: Ex-England captain cleared at Yorkshire hearing

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has been cleared of using racist or discriminatory language towards a group of players, including Azeem Rafiq, after a hearing in London.

Vaughan was charged by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) with making a racist comment towards Rafiq, Adil Rashid, Ajmal Shahzad and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan before a Yorkshire game in 2009.

It was alleged that the 48-year-old, who led England in 51 Tests, said to the quartet, who are of Asian ethnicity: “There’s too many of you lot, we need to have a word about that.”

Vaughan, who had denied making the comment, announced on social media that he has now been cleared of the charge by the Cricket Discipline Committee (CDC) panel and posted a lengthy statement urging people not to overlook the problem of racism in cricket despite the outcome.

Follow all the latest updates as Michael Vaughan learns the verdict, below:

Michael Vaughan racism verdict - live updates

• Michael Vaughan announces he has been cleared of making a racist remark to Azeem Rafiq and other former Yorkshire teammates

• Full explanation of verdicts released on ECB website

• Michael Vaughan statement in full

• Response from Azeem Rafiq who wants cricket ‘to understand its problems and address them'

• The ex-England captain was accused of saying there are “too many of you lot” to teammates of Asian ethnicity

Michael Vaughan cleared of using racist language after Yorkshire hearing

12:00 , Michael Jones

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has been cleared of using racist or discriminatory language towards a group of players, including Azeem Rafiq, after a hearing in London.

Vaughan was charged by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) with making a racist comment towards Rafiq, Adil Rashid, Ajmal Shahzad and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan before a Yorkshire game in 2009.

It was alleged that the 48-year-old, who led England in 51 Tests, said to the quartet, who are of Asian ethnicity: “There’s too many of you lot, we need to have a word about that.”

Vaughan, who had denied making the comment, announced on social media that he has now been cleared of the charge by the Cricket Discipline Committee (CDC) panel.

Michael Vaughan cleared of using racist language towards Azeem Rafiq

ECB responds to CDC verdicts

12:19 , Michael Jones

The chair of the England & Wales Cricket Board, Richard Thompson, said: “This has been an incredibly challenging period for our sport, but one we must all learn from in order to make cricket better and more inclusive. When Azeem Rafiq spoke out about his time in cricket, he exposed a side of our game which no one should have to experience. We are grateful for his courage and perseverance.

“Given the nature of these cases, they have taken a clear toll on everyone involved. There now needs to be a time of reconciliation where, as a game, we can collectively learn and heal the wounds and ensure that nothing like this can ever happen again.

“This has been the most complex and thorough regulatory investigation and disciplinary process that the ECB has ever conducted. It covered emotive allegations spanning a period of nearly 20 years with rigour and diligence and was overseen throughout by industry-leading KCs and three very experienced independent members of a sub-group of the Regulatory Committee. I would like to thank the CDC Panel and all those involved in working on these important proceedings.

“The decisions published today are the findings of an independent CDC Panel, reaching its own decisions based on the evidence before it, and it is now for the Panel to determine what sanctions are appropriate where charges have been admitted or upheld. Having only received the decisions today, we will need time to consider them carefully.

“At its best, our sport is one that brings people together and connects communities. It is now time, as we also prepare to receive the report of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, to work together to continue, expand and accelerate the work that is under way to change for the better, so that we can make cricket the UK’s most inclusive sport.”

Response from Azeem Rafiq

11:53 , Michael Jones

Azeem Rafiq has issued a statement in regards to the CDC’s verdicts and says that ‘cricket needs to understand the extent of its problems and address them.’

He posted his statement on Twitter, it reads:

“Charges against seven of the eight defendants, including the widespread use of the ‘P’ word, have been upheld by the CDC today. This comes in addition to the other reports, panels and inquiries that found I and others suffered racial harassment and bullying while at Yorkshire.

“The issue has never been about individuals but the game as a whole. Cricket needs to understand the extent of its problems and address them. Hopefully, the structures of the game can now be rebuilt and institutionalised racism ended for good. It’s time to reflect, learn and implement change.”

Guilty parties are appeal verdicts

11:50 , Michael Jones

Yorkshire CCC and Gary Ballance who were also accused of racism had already pleaded guilty to all charges against them.

Tim O’Gorman and his panel wrote: “Should any party wish to appeal they will have 14 days to do so from the date on which these decisions are handed down, namely by close of business on Friday 14th April 2023.... Any application for an appeal should be made to the chair of the CDC.”

The panel added: “Should any party wish to make an application relating to costs, it will be dealt with on the date that the disciplinary panel sits to consider sanctions.”

The verdict on charges against Richard Pyrah

11:46 , Michael Jones

Richard Pyrah is a former Yorkshire bowling coach. The charges against him were as follows.

Charge 1 - Used the term “you lot”:

a) towards and/or about the former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq during the warm-up before a T20 Cup match between Yorkshire and Lancashire at Headingley on 17 June 2011 when referring to Mr Rafiq and his fellow Yorkshire cricketers Adil Rashid and Ajmal Shahzad by saying “why are you lot always together, why don’t you come and chill with us?” and/or “where are you lot going?”

b) towards and/or about Mr Rafiq on other occasions in the period between 2008 and 2014 (inclusive) and/or in 2018;

Verdict: not proved

Charge 2 - Used the terms “fit Paki” and/or “FP” about Asian women:

a) referring to Amna Rafiq as “FP” at Headingley on an official Yorkshire media day in April 2014 whilst in Mr Rafiq’s presence;

b) on other occasions in the Yorkshire environment in 2014 and/or in 2018.

Verdict: both proved

The verdict on charges against Andrew Gale

11:42 , Michael Jones

There were two main charges, with subsections, given to former Yorkshire captain and head coach Andrew Gale. All the charges against him were proved.

Charge 1 - Used the term “Rafa the Kaffir”:

(a) towards the former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq on 27 June 2008 in the Yorkshire dressing room during Mr Rafiq’s Yorkshire First XI debut in the T20 Cup against Nottinghamshire in Nottingham;

(b) towards Mr Rafiq on other occasions between 27 June 2008 and the end of the 2010 season.

Verdict: both proved

Charge 2 - Used the term “P---”:

(a) during the lunch break of a Yorkshire Second XI match against Somerset Second XI at Taunton Vale CC in September 2009, when Mr Rafiq overheard Mr Gale calling Mr Rafiq an “arrogant P---”;

(b) on other occasions towards and/or about Mr Rafiq between June 2008 and the end of his first spell at Yorkshire in 2014 and/or during Mr Rafiq’s second spell at Yorkshire in 2018;

(c) in 2013 referring to Mosun Hussain, a Yorkshire Academy player, as a “shit P---” during fitness training at Headingley.

Verdict: all proved

The verdict on charges against John Blain

11:37 , Michael Jones

John Blain, the former Scotland seamer, was charged with offences relating to his time working at Yorkshire as a coach.Charges - Used racist and/or discriminatory language in referring to Asian individuals as “P---” or “P---s”:

1. during pre-season training at Headingley in around April 2010; and/or

2. on other occasions at Yorkshire in 2010 and/or 2011.

Vedict: both proved

The verdict on charges against Tim Bresnan

11:34 , Michael Jones

Tim Bresnan has been found guilty of certain charges, not guilty of others and the panel found that one charge was neither proved nor disproved.

Charge 1 - Used the term “the brothers”:

a) towards Azeem Rafiq, Adil Rashid, Ajmal Shahzad and Rana Naved ul-Hasan during the warm-up prior to a T20 Cup match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on 22 June 2009;

Verdict: Not statisfied on balance of probabilities

b) towards Asian players at Yorkshire by saying things like “what are the brothers doing for dinner?” between 2008 and 2014 (inclusive) and/or 2017 and/or 2018; and/or 2. the term “you lot”:

Verdict: not proved

Charge 2 - Used the term “you lot:

a) towards Mr Rafiq and Mr Rashid in the dressing room at Headingley prior to a County Championship match between Yorkshire and Derbyshire on 15 August 2012;

Verdict: not proved

b) towards Moin Ashraf at the T20 Finals Day against Hampshire on 25 August 2012 in the context “why do you lot pray before you bowl”;

Verdict: not proved

c) towards Asian players at Yorkshire on other occasions at Headingley between 2008 and 2014 (inclusive) and/or 2017 and/or 2018;

Verdict: proved

Charge 3 - Used the terms “fit P---” and/or “FP”:

a) referring to Amna Rafiq at Headingley on an official Yorkshire media day in April 2014 whilst in Mr Rafiq’s presence; and/or

b) about an Asian woman whilst sat at the Yorkshire team’s hotel bar with Mr Rafiq in Birmingham the evening before a T20 match against Warwickshire on 7 July 2018; and/or

c) about Asian women on other occasions in the Yorkshire environment in 2014 and/or 2017 and/or 2018.

Verdict: proved

Anjan Luthra claims lobbyists undermining attempts to improve Cricket Scotland

11:17 , Michael Jones

Anjan Luthra claimed attempts to improve Cricket Scotland were being undermined by lobbyists after he resigned as chairman in the wake of major criticism of his and the organisation’s attempts to tackle racism.

Luthra has quit less than six months after being appointed and several days after four members of Cricket Scotland’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion advisory group resigned over a perceived lack of progress in making change.

The outgoing chairman had been heavily criticised the previous week for claiming “significant progress” was being made in the ongoing response to a report in July last year which uncovered 448 examples of institutional racism. Cricket Scotland was the subject of further criticism in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.

Anjan Luthra claims lobbyists undermining attempts to improve Cricket Scotland

Three charges proved against Matthew Hoggard

11:09 , Michael Jones

Former England and Yorkshire swing bowler Matthew Hoggard has seen three of the four charges against him proved by the CDC report.

Charge 1 - Using the term “Rafa the Kaffir”: (a) creating and using the nickname on the day of Azeem Rafiq’s first team debut for Yorkshire on 27 June 2008 during a T20 Cup match against Nottinghamshire; and/or (b) using it on other occasions towards Mr Rafiq from 27 June 2008 until leaving Yorkshire in 2009

Verdict: proved

Charge 2 - Using he term “P---” towards and/or about Mr Rafiq and other Asian players, in contexts such “you P--- are all the same” and “is it because I’m a P---”, during the 2008 cricket season in the Yorkshire dressing room.

Verdict: proved

Charge 3 - Using the term “you lot” when referring to Mr Rafiq and other Asian players in the Yorkshire squad in the Yorkshire dressing room, in contexts such as “you lot sit over there”, in the 2008 and/or 2009 season.

Verdict: not proved

Charge 4 - Using the term “TBM” and/or “token black man” towards Ismail Dawood in 2004 and/or 2005 in the Yorkshire environment.

Verdict: proved

Hoggard did not appear at the hearing but admitted to charges 2 and 4 before the CDC made their own verdicts.

John Blain to appeal

11:03 , Michael Jones

John Blain was among those found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute by the CDC report is the first of those facing sanctions to announce that he will appeal.

The CDC found claims he used the term “P---” in 2010 or 2011 as “proved”.

He told Telegraph Sport in response: “I’ll continue to fight this by whatever means are available. I guess there will be an appeals process and a subsequent process after that will have to be also considered.

“I’ve always said that I wouldn’t rule out having to go to the High Court to contest this because it’s a huge miscarriage of justice. It’s unfair and very difficult to digest when I’ve done nothing. I’ve done absolutely nothing wrong and that’s the hardest thing.”

Why was Vaughan cleared?

10:58 , Michael Jones

One of the stand out parts of the full report into the CDC hearings is the inconsistencies in the testimony of Azeem Rafiq’s allegations.

Rafiq’s initial allegations were that Vaughan said: “There’s too many of you lot, we need to have a word about that“ but in the intial investigation by Yorkshire, Rafiq said the words were: “Too many of you lot, we need to do something about it“ and in a employment tribunal claim he said the phrase was: “There’s too many of you lot, we need to do something about it.”

By the time of the CDC hearing last month, Rafiq’s witness statement said the comment was “There’s too many of you lot. We need to have a word about that“.

The report into the Vaughan verdict states: “Given the specific nature of the allegation, these inconsistencies are significant, not least since these are matters which are being recalled some 11 years and more later. Moreover they also have an impact upon the clarity with which [Rafiq] states that he recalls the matter.”

Concluding remarks in Michael Vaughan’s case

10:53 , Michael Jones

The CDC heard, read and watched a whole heap of evidence both for and against Michael Vaughan making a racist remark to four Asian players featuring for Yorkshire in 2009.

The concluding remarks of the CDC read: “These findings do not in any way undermine the wider assertions made by AZR [Azeem Rafiq], many of which of course have been confirmed by the admissions of both YCCC and certain individuals, as well as by other findings of this Panel. 97.

“However the Panel has been required to concentrate on the focussed evidence presented to it by both parties in respect of one comment, made in two parts, on an afternoon now nearly 14 years ago.

“This is not a case which necessitated a conclusion from the Panel that anyone has lied or acted out of malice. Far from it, the Panel had to consider whether the case as presented to it by the ECB, in light of all the evidence, was sufficiently accurate and reliable, on the balance of probabilities, to rule out mistake. It was not.”

ECB releases full report

10:46 , Michael Jones

The ECB has released the full report on the charges against Michael Vaughan and five other members of Yorkshire CCC who were accused of making racist remarks towards Azeem Rafiq and other Asian players.

The document is 82 pages long and explains how the CDC came to the decision to clear Michael Vaughan.

Verdict explanation expected soon

10:33 , Michael Jones

More detail from the ECB on how the verdicts were reached is expected to be released shortly as well as the verdicts on the other players that faced charges during the CDC hearings.

Michael Vaughan cleared of using racist language after Yorkshire racism hearing

10:26 , Michael Jones

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has been cleared of using racist or discriminatory language towards a group of players, including Azeem Rafiq, after a hearing in London.

Vaughan was charged by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) with making a racist comment towards Rafiq, Adil Rashid, Ajmal Shahzad and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan before a Yorkshire game in 2009.

It was alleged that the 48-year-old, who led England in 51 Tests, said to the quartet, who are of Asian ethnicity: “There’s too many of you lot, we need to have a word about that.”

Vaughan, who had denied making the comment, has now been cleared of the charge by the Cricket Discipline Committee (CDC) panel.

Michael Vaughan cleared of using racist language towards Azeem Rafiq

Vaughan cleared of making racist remark

10:17 , Michael Jones

Michael Vaughan has been cleared of using racist language while a Yorkshire player in 2009 following the verdicts delivered by the Cricket Discipline Commission.

Michael Vaughan’s statement in full

10:15 , Michael Jones

“It has been both difficult and upsetting to hear about the painful experiences which Azeem has described over the past 3 years.

“The outcome of these CDC proceedings must not be allowed to detract from the core message that there can be no place for racism in the game of cricket, or in society generally.

“As with others who have spoken about their time at Yorkshire, I can only speak of my own experiences and of my own time there. The dismissal of the specific charge that concerned me takes nothing away from Azeem’s own lived experiences.

“The hearing made public that Azeem and I met eighteen months ago, well before the CDC proceedings came into existence. I told him then that I am sorry for his unacceptable, negative experiences at the club I love and in the sport I love. We had what I thought was a really positive and constructive discussion. We shook hands with a shared intention to work together in order to create positive change in cricket.

“For my part, nothing has altered in that respect.

“There is still a job to do and I remain keen to help bring about positive change in any way that I can. Cricket has been my life. Particularly with an issue such as this, CDC proceedings were an inappropriate, inadequate and backwards step. One of many reasons why I hold that view is because CDC proceedings are adversarial. They invite claim and counterclaim.

“They invite those involved to accuse each other of untruths or of lying. The inevitable consequence of the ECB’s decision-making was that 3 former teammates, one of whom is a current England international player, were pitted against one another in what later became a public forum for the world at large to see.

“Despite being criticised by the ECB for not accusing others of lying, I remain of the view that no good can come of that approach. There are no winners in this process and there are better ways – there have to be better ways - for cricket to move forward positively and effectively.

“I have never wanted to do anything that runs contrary to genuine efforts to clean up the game of cricket. I truly hope people can understand why, on a personal level, I could not just accept, or apologise for, something which I know I did not do.

“At times, this process has brought me to the brink of falling out of love with cricket. I won’t address here the toll that it has taken on me and my family, but I have no doubt that it has also been incredibly stressful for all of the others concerned. I hope that for them and for cricket, an inclusive healing process can now begin.

“Now that the ECB’s charge against me has been dismissed, I want to thank the panel for their careful attention in very difficult circumstances and to thank all of those who have given me their support during an incredibly difficult period in my life .”

‘There is no place for racism in cricket'

10:15 , Michael Jones

Michael Vaughan has released this statement reaffirming that there can be not place in cricket for racism:

What happened at the hearing?

10:12 , Michael Jones

On the first day of the hearing the judicial panel heard evidence against Tim Bresnan, Matthew Hoggard and John Blain.

Among other things, Bresnan was accused of referring to Azeem Rafiq’s sister as a “fit p---” and it was alleged that there was a “prevailing atmosphere” of racist abuse at Yorkshire.

On day two, Azeem Rafiq and Adil Rashid, the England leg-spinner, were cross-examined.

Inconsistencies emerged in the accounts of what exactly was said before the match versus Nottinghamshire in 2009 which is were the accusations against Michael Vaughan slot in.

Rafiq also had to deny that he had blackmailed Rashid into backing his version of events.

Sanctions not revealed today

10:07 , Michael Jones

The sanctions for any charges proven against Michael Vaughan or for any charges already admitted, will be announced at a later date.

The verdict, whether Vaughan is guilty or not will be revealed later but the effects of that for the former England captain will not be known today.

Michael Vaughan says it is ‘inconceivable’ he made racist comment to team-mates

10:02 , Michael Jones

Michael Vaughan insisted it was “inconceivable” that he would make the racist comment he has been accused of by Azeem Rafiq.

Former England captain Vaughan began his defence against an England and Wales Cricket Board charge of using racist and/or discriminatory language in London on Friday.

Vaughan said the entire process was a “terrible look” for cricket and that he had tried to meet with Rafiq to reach an amicable resolution.

Michael Vaughan says it is ‘inconceivable’ he made racist comment to team-mates

Chair and Director of Cricket Scotland resigns

09:57 , Michael Jones

Cricket Scotland has confirmed that Anjan Luthra had resigned as chair and director with immediate effect.

Azeem Rafiq had called for Luthra to step down last week after showing “a quite scary lack of respect to everyone”.

Luthra, who was only brought into the role in October 2022, recently claimed “significant progress” had been made around Cricket Scotland’s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

However, Cricket Scotland has since been branded, by anti-racism campaign group Running Our Racism, as “unfit for purpose”, “tone deaf” and “arrogant”.

In his resignation letter, Luthra took shots at Sport Scotland for ‘meeting the demands of a lobby group and a handful of individuals.’

Vaughan’s cross-examination

09:53 , Michael Jones

There were six individuals charged with making racist remarks against Asian players at Yorkshire but only Michael Vaughan showed up at the hearing to defend himself against the accusations.

He was cross-examined by the ECB’s legal team were it emerged that six team-mates backed his version of events. Another witness claimed that Azeem Rafiq had warned him, albeit years before, that he would play the “race card”.

Vaughan’s legal team also cast severe doubt on the quality of the ECB’s investigation into the Ashes-winning captain when they claimed ECB investigators had not spoken to many of the people in and around the huddle where Vaughan’s comment was alleged to have been made.

Vaughan himself again denied the central claim, and said: “The comment I have been alleged to have said is a comment where a team-mate would not be able to perform to their maximum and that’s not what I’m about.”

What happened at the hearing?

09:49 , Michael Jones

Michael Vaughan’s lawyer, Christopher Stoner KC, described the ECB’s investigation of Azeem Rafiq’s allegations as "wholly inadequate", during his defence of the former England captain.

He backed up that claim by saying the ECB failed to contact other players involved in the match [vs Nottinghamshire were Vaughan is said to have made the racist remark], the umpires or a Sky camera operator whose footage formed part of the evidence.

Meena Botros, the ECB’s director of legal and integrity, insisted under cross-examination by Stoner that the investigation had been thorough.

Jane Mulcahy KC, acting for the ECB, asserted that it was "inherently probable" that Vaughan made the comment saying the fact Vaughan shook hands with "only the Asian players" was telling.

"This action clearly signifies that he identifies the four cricketers as a distinct group, consistent with the words ‘you lot’.”

The ECB’s closing submission read: "Michael Vaughan cannot refute the words because he cannot remember saying them. Instead, he asserts he would not have said those words."

The alleged comment, the ECB said, was made only a year before Vaughan sent some tweets which the 48-year-old later agreed were "completely unacceptable".

"Those tweets were ostensibly light-hearted but in reality were offensive, as he also accepted," added the submission. "His comment to the players on June 22, 2009, was in the same vein."

Michael Vaughan set to learn verdict from Cricket Discipline Commission hearing

09:45 , Michael Jones

Michael Vaughan and five other individuals formerly connected to Yorkshire are set to discover later today whether charges against them linked to the use of racist or discriminatory language have been proven or not.

The decisions of the independent Cricket Discipline Commission panel are expected to be published on the England and Wales Cricket Board website at 10.30am.

Vaughan is alleged to have told a group of Yorkshire team-mates of Asian ethnicity there were “too many of you lot” before a T20 match against Nottinghamshire in 2009, a charge he categorically denies.

Michael Vaughan set to learn verdict from Cricket Discipline Commission hearing

Verdict to shape Vaughan’s ‘life and liveliehood'

09:40 , Michael Jones

During the hearing that took place last month, Michael Vaughan’s lawyer, Christopher Stoner KC, told the panel that the shape of his client’s "life and livelihood" were at stake in this case.

When the allegations were first made Vaughan was asked to step down from his role as a commentator for the BBC’s Test Match Special and will probably not be allowed back should he be found guilty.

The decisions of the independent Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) panel are expected to be published on the ECB website at 10.30am.

Michael Vaughan racism verdict

09:37 , Michael Jones

Former England cricket captain, Michael Vaughan, will find out whether he is guilty of making a racist remark 14 years ago as the ‘Cricket Discipline Commission’ - three independent judges – make their ruling on if Vaughan told to a group of four Asian Yorkshire players: "There’s too many of you lot; we need to do something about it."

The burden of proof in this case is the balance of probabilities, meaning that the judges must decide, essentially, whether Vaughan is likely to have made the remark. The original allegation came from Azeem Rafiq, a former Yorkshire spinner, who was one of the players to whom Vaughan is said to have directed the comment, before a white-ball match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in 2009.

Vaughan has always denied the accusations and was the only individual charged who appeared in person at the CDC hearing held in public across four days earlier this month. Five other individuals charged – John Blain, Tim Bresnan, Andrew Gale, Matthew Hoggard and Richard Pyrah – all said before the hearing that they would not participate, with the charges against them heard in their absence.